Malik quits Senate over dual nationality
11 July, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik on Tuesday resigned from the Senate amid a controversy about his dual nationality.
He told reporters in Karachi that he had submitted his resignation to the Senate chairman on Monday, which, however, could not be confirmed. Sources say Malik might have submitted his resignation to the party leadership for forwarding to the Senate chairman.
Sources in the government say Malik had no option but to resign from the Senate membership after Supreme Court's objection on him having dual nationality.
Malik, who was elected to the Senate in 2009, had earlier told the Supreme Court that he had renounced his British citizenship and promised to submit documentary evidence in court. But a certificate presented to a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry failed to satisfy the judges. On June 4, the apex court suspended Malik's membership of the Senate on the ground that he had failed to provide proof of renouncing his British citizenship.
He was immediately appointed Adviser to prime minister after the court suspended his Senate membership. Now he has announced resignation from the Senate instead of satisfying the court on renouncing his British citizenship. On the other hand, he might continue as adviser to the PM, sources said.
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